Dental Implants Surgery: Benefits and Types

What are Dental Implants?

Dental Implant is a structure that acts as a replacement tooth root. 

The surgeon inserts an implant into the jawbone with a screw-like device, to provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement (artificial) teeth also known as crowns.

What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Surgically implanted into the jawbone, the Dental Implants prevent jaw bone loss as they mirror the shape of a screw, bonding with the natural bone. 

The replacement of missing teeth with dental implants helps to restore the ability to eat normally, without having to struggle to chew, and also helps to support facial features.

There are many other advantages to dental implants, including:

Salvage the Health of Surrounding Teeth 

An implant doesn’t endanger the quality of the surrounding teeth as unlike the dental bridges, the healthy teeth do not have to be filed down during the procedure.

Aesthetics

Dental Implants look and feel absolutely natural. No one can mark out a difference between a natural tooth and an implanted one.

One can brush and floss normally without any additional care. They help restore your chewing power, and facial appearance and give you a reason to smile wide with confidence. 

Bone Preservation

The loss of a natural tooth can cause the resorption of the bone, which can be avoided with implants.

The shape of the jaw doesn’t change due to the bone loss and it prevents the remaining teeth from sliding into the space left by a lost tooth.

Replacing the root as well as the tooth, the Dental Implants promote the preservation of the bone.

Long-Lasting Solution

A permanent solution to missing teeth unlike dentures, bridgework, or other similar restorations, Dental Implants can last a lifetime provided good care is taken of the teeth and the implant. they can last a lifetime. 

What are the Elements of a Dental Implant?

Teeth replaced by dental implants consist of three pieces to serve different functions and are made to last a lifetime. The structure of the dental implants consists of:

1. Implant: The implant or the screw used to replace the absent natural tooth root. 

2. Abutment: A post that connects the tooth to the implant is called Abutment. Placed between the implant and the crown, it helps to connect all the pieces. Protruding through the gum line, it acts as an anchor to which the artificial crown is attached

3. The crown: Made of porcelain, the Crowns are custom-made to fit the person’s mouth and match the colour of the teeth, the crowns look, feel, and work like natural teeth.

Resting on top of the Abutment, the Crown may be screw-retained or permanently cemented to the abutment, offering a natural, attractive tooth restoration. 

What are the Different Types & Techniques of Dental Implants?

Three different forms of Dental implants are available to be used for permanent tooth restoration.

Endosteal Implant

Endosteal Implants or root-form implants are the most common type of implants. They are made from titanium, small screws & alloplastic material, which is an artificial tissue graft.

Suited for most patients, they are surgically inserted into the jawbone. However, they need a healthy jawbone for the post to fuse and the implants to eventually bond with the natural bone over time.

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